| Abstract: | ![]()
The mechanism of the benzophenone-photosensitized degradation of films of poly-(vinyl chloride) was studied, both under vacuum and in the presence of oxygen. Initial rapid increases in absorption in the 340 nm region strongly implicate the ketyl radical in the initiation process which involves the abstraction by triplet benzophenone of a methylenic hydrogen from poly(vinyl chloride). Dehydrochlorination then occurs by a chain mechanism, and the conjugated polyene structure produced photosensitizes further initiation and, in the presence of oxygen, photo-oxidation of the polymer. |
